Preparation and use of 2-substituted-5-oxo-3-pyrazolidinecarboxylates

ABSTRACT

A method is disclosed for preparing a 2-substituted-5-oxo-3-pyrazolidinecarboxylate compound of Formula I. The method comprises contacting a succinic acid derivative of the formula R 1 OC(O)C(H)(X)C(R 2a )(R 2b )C(O)Y (i.e. Formula II)wherein X and Y are leaving groups and L, R 1 , R 2a  and R 2b  are as defined in the disclosure, with a substituted hydrazine of the formula LNHNH 2  (i.e. Formula III) in the presence of a suitable acid scavenger and solvent. Also disclosed is the preparation of compounds of Formula IV wherein X 1 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8a , R 8b , R 9 , and n are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed is a composition comprising on a weight basis about 20 to 99% of the compound of Formula II wherein R 1 , R 2a , R 2b , R 3 , R 4  and R 5  are as defined in the disclosure; X is Cl, Br or I; and Y is F, Cl, Br or I; provided that when R 2a  and R 2b  are each H, and X and Y are each Cl then R 1  is other than benzyl and when R 2a  and R 2b  are each phenyl, and X and Y are each Cl, then R 1  is other than methyl or ethyl. Also disclosed is a crystalline composition comprising at least about 90% by weight of the compound of the formula R 1 OC(O)C(H)(X)C(R 2a )(R 2b )CO 2 H (i.e. Formula VI) wherein R 2a  and R 2b  are H, X is Br and R 1  is methyl.

This application represents a national filing under 35 usc 371 of International Application No. PCT/US2004/009188 filed Mar. 25, 2004 and claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/457,56 1 filed Mar. 26, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A need exists for additional methods to prepare 2-substituted-5-oxo-3-pyrazolidinecarboxylates. Such compounds include useful intermediates for the preparation of crop protection agents, pharmaceuticals, photographic developers and other fine chemicals. U.S. Pat. No. 3,153,654 and PCT Publication WO 03/015519 describe the preparation of 2-substituted-5-oxo-3-pyrazolidinecarboxylates by condensation of maleate or fumarate esters with substituted hydrazines in the presence of a base. However, alternative methods providing potentially greater yields are still needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method for preparing a 2-substituted-5-oxo-3-pyrazolidinecarboxylate compound of Formula I

wherein

-   -   L is H, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted         tertiary alkyl, —C(O)R³, —S(O)₂R³ or —P(O)(R³)₂;     -   R¹ is an optionally substituted carbon moiety;     -   R^(2a) is H, OR⁴ or an optionally substituted carbon moiety;     -   R^(2b) is H or an optionally substituted carbon moiety;     -   each R³ is independently OR⁵, N(R⁵)₂ or an optionally         substituted carbon moiety;     -   R⁴ is an optionally substituted carbon moiety; and     -   each R⁵ is selected from optionally substituted carbon moieties;         the method comprising contacting a succinic acid derivative of         Formula II

wherein

-   -   X is a leaving group; and     -   Y is a leaving group;     -   with a substituted hydrazine of Formula III         LNHNH₂   III         in the presence of a suitable acid scavenger and solvent.

This invention also relates to a method of preparing a compound of Formula IV,

wherein

-   -   X¹ is halogen;     -   R⁶ is CH₃, F, Cl or Br;     -   R⁷ is P, Cl, Br, I, CN or CF₃;     -   R^(8a) is H or C₁-C₄ alkyl;     -   R^(8b) is H or CH₃;     -   each R⁹ is independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl, C₂-C₄         alkynyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₂-C₄ haloalkenyl,         C₂-C₄ haloalkynyl, C₃-C₆ halocycloalkyl, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁-C₄         alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄ alkylthio, C₁-C₄ alkylsulfinyl,         C₁-C₄ alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₄ alkylamino, C₂-C₈ dialkylamino, C₃-C₆         cycloalkylamino, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)(C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl)amino, C₂-C₄         alkylcarbonyl, C₂-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₆ alkylaminocarbonyl,         C₃-C₈ dialkylaminocarbonyl or C₃-C₆ trialkylsilyl;     -   Z is N or CR¹⁰;     -   R¹⁰ is H or R⁹; and     -   n is an integer from 0 to 3         using a compound of Formula Ia

-   -   wherein R¹ is an optionally substituted carbon moiety.         This method is characterized by preparing the compound of         Formula Ia (i.e. a subgenus of Formula I) by the method as         indicated above.

This invention further provides a composition comprising on a weight basis about 20 to 99% of the compound of Formula II wherein R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are as above; X is Cl, Br or I; and Y is F, Cl, Br or I; provided that when R^(2a) and R^(2b) are each H, and X and Y are each Cl then R¹ is other than benzyl and when R^(2a) and R^(2b) are each phenyl, and X and Y are each Cl, then R¹ is other than methyl or ethyl.

This invention further provides a crystalline composition comprising at least about 90% by weight of the compound of Formula VI

-   -   wherein R^(2a) and R^(2b) are H, X is Br and R¹ is methyl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the recitations herein, the term “carbon moiety” refers to a radical comprising a carbon atom linking the radical to the remainder of the molecule. As the substituents R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are separated from the reaction center, they can encompass a great variety of carbon-based groups preparable by modern methods of synthetic organic chemistry. Also the substituent L can encompass in addition to hydrogen a wide range of radicals selected from optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted tertiary alkyl, —C(O)R³, —S(O)₂R³ or —P(O)(R³)₂, which stereoelectronically align with the cyclization regiochemistry of the method of the present invention. The method of this invention is thus generally applicable to a wide range of starting compounds of Formula II and product compounds of Formula I.

“Carbon moiety” thus includes alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl, which can be straight-chain or branched. “Carbon moiety” also includes carbocyclic and heterocyclic rings, which can be saturated, partially saturated, or completely unsaturated. Furthermore, unsaturated rings can be aromatic if Hückel's rule is satisfied. The carbocyclic and heterocyclic rings of a carbon moiety can form polycyclic ring systems comprising multiple rings connected together. The term “carbocyclic ring” denotes a ring wherein the atoms forming the ring backbone are selected only from carbon. The term “heterocyclic ring” denotes a ring wherein at least one of the ring backbone atoms is other than carbon. “Saturated carbocyclic” refers to a ring having a backbone consisting of carbon atoms linked to one another by single bonds; unless otherwise specified, the remaining carbon valences are occupied by hydrogen atoms. The term “aromatic ring system” denotes fully unsaturated carbocycles and heterocycles in which at least one ring in a polycyclic ring system is aromatic. Aromatic indicates that each of ring atoms is essentially in the same plane and has a p-orbital perpendicular to the ring plane, and in which (4n+2) π electrons, when n is 0 or a positive integer, are associated with the ring to comply with Hückel's rule. The term “aromatic carbocyclic ring system” includes fully aromatic carbocycles and carbocycles in which at least one ring of a polycyclic ring system is aromatic. The term “nonaromatic carbocyclic ring system” denotes fully saturated carbocycles as well as partially or fully unsaturated carbocycles wherein none of the rings in the ring system are aromatic. The terms “aromatic heterocyclic ring system” and “heteroaromatic ring” include fully aromatic heterocycles and heterocycles in which at least one ring of a polycyclic ring system is aromatic. The term “nonaromatic heterocyclic ring system” denotes fully saturated heterocycles as well as partially or fully unsaturated heterocycles wherein none of the rings in the ring system are aromatic. The term “aryl” denotes a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring or ring system in which at least one ring is aromatic, and the aromatic ring provides the connection to the remainder of the molecule.

The carbon moieties specified for R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵ and the aryl and tertiary alkyl radicals specified for L are optionally substituted. The term “optionally substituted” in connection with these carbon moieties refers to carbon moieties that are unsubstituted or have at least one non-hydrogen substituent. Similarly, the term “optionally substituted” in connection with aryl and tertiary aryl refers to aryl and tertiary alkyl radicals that are unsubstituted or have a least on non-hydrogen substituent. Illustrative optional substituents include alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, hydroxycarbonyl, formyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkenylcarbonyl, alkynylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, cycloalkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, alkenylthio, alkynylthio, cycloalkylthio, arylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkenylsulfinyl, alkynylsulfinyl, cycloalkylsulfinyl, arylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkenylsulfonyl, alkynylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, amino, alkylamino, alkenylamino, alkynylamino, arylamino, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkenylaminocarbonyl, alkynylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkenylaminocarbonyl, alkynylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkenyloxycarbonylamino, alkynyloxycarbonylamino and aryloxy-carbonylamino, each further optionally substituted; and halogen, cyano and nitro. The optional further substituents are independently selected from groups like those illustrated above for the substituents themselves to give additional substituent radicals for L, R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵ such as haloalkyl, haloalkenyl and haloalkoxy. As a further example, alkylamino can be further substituted with alkyl, giving dialkylamino. The substituents can also be tied together by figuratively removing one or two hydrogen atoms from each of two substituents or a substituent and the supporting molecular structure and joining the radicals to produce cyclic and polycyclic structures fused or appended to the molecular structure supporting the substituents. For example, tying together adjacent hydroxy and methoxy groups attached to, for example, a phenyl ring gives a fused dioxolane structure containing the linking group —O—CH₂—O—. Tying together a hydroxy group and the molecular structure to which it is attached can give cyclic ethers, including epoxides. Illustrative substituents also include oxygen, which when attached to carbon forms a carbonyl function. Similarly, sulfur when attached to carbon forms a thiocarbonyl function. Within the L, R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ or R⁵ moieties, tying together substituents can form cyclic and polycyclic structures. Also illustrative of R¹, R^(2a) and R^(2b) are embodiments wherein at least two of the R¹, R^(2a) and R^(2b) moieties are contained in the same radical (i.e. a ring system is formed). As the pyrazolidine moiety constitutes one ring, the R¹ moiety contained in the same radical as R^(2a) (or OR⁴) or R^(2b) would result in a fused bicyclic or polycyclic ring system. Two R^(2a) and R^(2b) moieties contained in the same radical would result in a spiro ring system.

As referred to herein, “alkyl”, used either alone or in compound words such as “alkylthio” or “haloalkyl” includes straight-chain or branched alkyl, such as, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, or the different butyl, pentyl or hexyl isomers. “Tertiary alkyl” denotes a branched alkyl radical wherein the carbon atom linked to the remainder of the molecule is also attached to three carbon atoms in the radical. Examples of “tertiary alkyl” include —C(CH₃)₃, —C(CH₃)₂CH₂CH₃ and —C(CH₃)(CH₂CH₃)(CH₂)₂CH₃. “Alkenyl” includes straight-chain or branched alkenes such as ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, and the different butenyl, pentenyl and hexenyl isomers. “Alkenyl” also includes polyenes such as 1,2-propadienyl and 2,4-hexadienyl. “Alkynyl” includes straight-chain or branched alkynes such as ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl and the different butynyl, pentynyl and hexynyl isomers. “Alkynyl” can also include moieties comprised of multiple triple bonds such as 2,5-hexadiynyl. “Alkoxy” includes, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propyloxy, isopropyloxy and the different butoxy, pentoxy and hexyloxy isomers. “Alkenyloxy”includes straight-chain or branched alkenyloxy moieties. Examples of “alkenyloxy” include H₂C═CHCH₂O, (CH₃)₂C═CHCH₂O, (CH₃)CH═CHCH₂O, (CH₃)CH═C(CH₃)CH₂O and CH₂═CHCH₂CH₂O. “Alkynyloxy” includes straight-chain or branched alkynyloxy moieties. Examples of “alkynyloxy” include HC≡CCH₂O, CH₃C≡CCH₂O and CH₃C≡CCH₂CH₂O. “Alkylthio” includes branched or straight-chain alkylthio moieties such as methylthio, ethylthio, and the different propylthio, butylthio, pentylthio and hexylthio isomers. “Alkylsulfinyl” includes both enantiomers of an alkylsulfinyl group. Examples of “alkylsulfinyl” include CH₃S(O), CH₃CH₂S(O), CH₃CH₂CH₂S(O), (CH₃)₂CHS(O) and the different butylsulfinyl, pentylsulfinyl and hexylsulfinyl isomers. Examples of “alkylsulfonyl” include CH₃S(O)₂, CH₃CH₂S(O)₂, CH₃CH₂CH₂S(O)₂, (CH₃)₂CHS(O)₂ and the different butylsulfonyl, pentylsulfonyl and hexylsulfonyl isomers. “Alkylamino”, “alkenylthio”, “alkenylsulfinyl”, “alkenylsulfonyl”, “alkynylthio”, “alkynylsulfinyl”, “alkynylsulfonyl”, and the like, are defined analogously to the above examples. Examples of “alkylcarbonyl” include C(O)CH₃, C(O)CH₂CH₂CH₃ and C(O)CH(CH₃)₂. Examples of “alkoxycarbonyl” include CH₃OC(═O), CH₃CH₂OC(═O), CH₃CH₂CH₂OC(═O), (CH₃)₂CHOC(═O) and the different butoxy- or pentoxycarbonyl isomers. “Cycloalkyl” includes, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, and cyclohexyl. The term “cycloalkoxy” includes the same groups linked through an oxygen atom such as cyclopentyloxy and cyclohexyloxy. “Cycloalkylamino” means the amino nitrogen atom is attached to a cycloalkyl radical and a hydrogen atom and includes groups such as cyclopropylamino, cyclobutylamino, cyclopentylamino and cyclohexylamino. “(Alkyl)(cycloalkyl)amino” means a cycloalkylamino group where the hydrogen atom is replaced by an alkyl radical; examples include groups such as (methyl)(cyclopropyl)amino, (butyl)(cyclobutyl)amino, (propyl)cyclopentylamino, (methyl)cyclohexylamino and the like. “Cycloalkenyl” includes groups such as cyclopentenyl and cyclohexenyl as well as groups with more-than one double bond such as 1,3- and 1,4-cyclohexadienyl.

The term “halogen”, either alone or in compound words such as “haloalkyl”, includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine. The term “1-2 halogen” indicates that one or two of the available positions for that substituent may be halogen which are independently selected. Further, when used in compound words such as “haloalkyl”, said alkyl may be partially or fully substituted with halogen atoms which may be the same or different. Examples of “haloalkyl” include F₃C, ClCH₂, CF₃CH₂ and CF₃CCl₂.

The term “sulfonate” refers to radicals comprising a —OS(O)₂— wherein the sulfur atom is bonded to a carbon moiety, and the oxygen atom is bonded to the remainder of the molecule and thus serves as the attachment point for the sulfonate radical. Commonly used sulfonates include —OS(O)₂Me, —OS(O)₂Et, —OS(O)₂-n-Pr, —OS(O)₂CF₃, —OS(O)₂Ph and —S(O)₂Ph-4-Me.

The total number of carbon atoms in a substituent group is indicated by the “C_(i)-C_(j)”prefix where i and j are, for example, numbers from 1 to 3; e.g., C₁-C₃ alkyl designates methyl through propyl.

Although there is no definite limit to the sizes of Formulae I, II and III suitable for the processes of the invention, typically Formula I comprises 5-100, more commonly 5-50,, and most commonly 5-25 carbon atoms, and 5-25, more commonly 5-15, and most commonly 5-10 heteroatoms. Typically Formula II comprises 5-50, more commonly 5-25, and most commonly 5-12 carbon atoms, and 5-15, more commonly 5-10, and most commonly 5-7 heteroatoms. Typically Formula III comprises 0-50, more commonly 6-25, and most commonly 6-13 carbon atoms, and 2-12, more commonly 2-7, and most commonly 2-5 heteroatoms. The heteroatoms are commonly selected from halogen, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorus. Three heteroatoms in Formulae I and II are the two oxygen atoms in the carboxylate ester group (R¹OC(O)—) and the oxygen atom in the other carbonyl radical. Two heteroatoms in Formulae I and III are the two nitrogen atoms in the pyrazoline ring and the precursor hydrazine. X and Y typically each comprise at least one heteroatom.

Although there is no definite limit to the size of R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵, optionally substituted alkyl moieties of R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵ commonly include 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more commonly 1 to 4 carbon atoms and most commonly 1 to 2 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. Optionally substituted alkenyl and alkynyl moieties of R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵ commonly include 2 to 6 carbon atoms, more commonly 2 to 4 carbon atoms and most commonly 2 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkenyl or alkynyl chain. Optionally substituted tertiary alkyl moieties of L commonly include 4 to 10 carbon atoms, more commonly 4 to 8 carbon atoms and most commonly 4 to 6 carbon atoms.

As indicated above, the carbon moieties of R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵ may be (among others) an aromatic ring or ring system. Also the aryl moiety of L is an aromatic ring or ring system. Examples of aromatic rings or ring systems include a phenyl ring, 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic rings, aromatic 8-, 9- or 10-membered fused carbobicyclic ring. systems and aromatic 8-, 9- or 10-membered fused heterobicyclic ring systems wherein each ring or ring system is optionally substituted. The term “optionally substituted” in connection with these R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵ carbon moieties and the aryl moiety of L refers to carbon moieties which are unsubstituted or have at least one non-hydrogen substituent. These carbon moieties may be substituted with as many optional substituents as can be accommodated by replacing a hydrogen atom with a non-hydrogen substituent on any available carbon or nitrogen atom. Commonly, the number of optional substituents (when present) ranges from one to four. An example of phenyl optionally substituted with from one to four substituents is the ring illustrated as U-1 in Exhibit 1, wherein R^(v) is any non-hydrogen substituent and r is an integer from 0 to 4. Examples of aromatic 8-, 9- or 10-membered fused carbobicyclic ring systems optionally substituted with from one to four substituents include a naphthyl group optionally substituted with from one to four substituents illustrated as U-85 and a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl group optionally substituted with from one to four substituents illustrated as U-86 in Exhibit 1, wherein R^(v) is any substituent and r is an integer from 0 to 4. Examples of 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic rings optionally substituted with from one to four substituents include the rings U-2 through U-53 illustrated in Exhibit 1 wherein R^(v) is any substituent and r is an integer from 1 to 4. Examples of aromatic 8-, 9- or 10-membered fused heterobicyclic ring systems optionally substituted with from one to four substituents include U-54 through U-84 illustrated in Exhibit 1 wherein R^(v) is any substituent, for example a substituent such as R⁹, and r is an integer from 0 to 4.. Other examples of L, R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵ include a benzyl group optionally substituted with from one to four substituents illustrated as U-87 and a benzoyl group optionally substituted with from one to four substituents illustrated as U-88 in Exhibit 1, wherein R^(v) is any substituent and r is an integer from 0 to 4.

Although R^(v) groups are shown in the structures U-1 through U-85, it is noted that they do not need to be present since they are optional substituents. The nitrogen atoms that require substitution to fill their valence are substituted with H or R^(v). Note that some U groups can only be substituted with less than 4 R^(v) groups (e.g., U-14, U-15, U-18 through U-21 and U-32 through U-34 can only be substituted with one R^(v)). Note that when the attachment point between (R^(v))_(r) and the U group is illustrated as floating, (R^(v))_(r) can be attached to any available carbon atom or nitrogen atom of the U group. Note that when the attachment point on the U group is illustrated as floating, the U group can be attached to the remainder of Formulae I, II and III through any available carbon of the U group by replacement of a hydrogen atom.

As indicated above, the carbon moieties of R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵ may be (among others) saturated or partially saturated carbocyclic and heterocyclic rings, which can be further optionally substituted. The term “optionally substituted” in connection with these R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵ carbon moieties refers to carbon moieties which are unsubstituted or have at least one non-hydrogen substituent. These carbon moieties may be substituted with as many optional substituents as can be accommodated by replacing a hydrogen atom with a non-hydrogen substituent on any available carbon or nitrogen atom. Commonly, the number of optional substituents (when present) ranges from one to four. Examples of saturated or partially saturated carbocyclic rings include optionally substituted C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl and optionally substituted C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl. Examples of saturated or partially saturated heterocyclic rings include 5- or 6-membered nonaromatic heterocyclic rings optionally including one or two ring members selected from the group consisting of C(═O), SO or S(O)₂, optionally substituted. Examples of such R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵ carbon moieties include those illustrated as G-1 through G-35 in Exhibit 2. Note that when the attachment point on these G groups is illustrated as floating, the G group can be attached to the remainder of Formulae I and II through any available carbon or nitrogen of the G group by replacement of a hydrogen atom. The optional substituents can be attached to any available carbon or nitrogen by replacing a hydrogen atom (said substituents are not illustrated in Exhibit 2 since they are optional substituents). Note that when G comprises a ring selected from G-24 through G-31, G-34 and G-35, Q² may be selected from O, S, NH or substituted N.

It is noted that the carbon moieties of R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵ and the aryl and tertiary alkyl moieties of L may be optionally substituted. As noted above, the R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵ carbon moieties may commonly comprise, among other groups, a U group or a G group further optionally substituted with from one to four substituents. The L aryl moiety may commonly comprise, among other groups, a U group further optionally substituted with from one to four substituents. Thus the R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), R³, R⁴ and R⁵ carbon moieties may comprise a U group or a G group selected from U-1 through U-88 or G-1 through G-35, and further substituted with additional substituents including one to four U or G groups (which may be the same or different) with both the core U or G group and substituent U or G groups optionally further substituted. The L moiety may comprise a U group selected from U-1 through U-88 or a tertiary alkyl radical, and further substituted with additional substituents including one to four U or G groups (which may be the same or different) with both the core U group (or tertiary alkyl radical) and the substituent U or G groups optionally further substituted. Of particular note are L carbon moieties comprising a U group optionally substituted with from one to three additional substituents. For example, L can be U-11, in which an R^(v) attached to the 1-nitrogen is the group U-41 as shown in Exhibit 3.

As generally defined herein, a “leaving group” denotes an atom or group of atoms displaceable in a nucleophilic substitution reaction. More particularly, “leaving group”refers to substituents X and Y, which are displaced in the reaction according to the method of the present invention. As is well known to those skilled in the art, a nucleophilic reaction leaving group carries the bonding electron pair with it as it is displaced. Accordingly the facility of leaving groups for displacement generally correlates with the stability of the leaving group species carrying the bonding electron pair. For this reason, strong leaving groups (e.g., Br, Cl, I and sulfonates such as OS(O)₂CH₃) give displaced species that can be regarded as the conjugate bases of strong acids. Because of its high electronegativity, fluoride (F) can also be a strong leaving group from sp² carbon centers such as in acyl fluorides.

According to the method of the present invention a compound of Formula I is prepared by reacting a compound of Formula II with a compound of Formula III as shown in Scheme 1.

-   -   wherein R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), L, X and Y are as previously         defined.         Although the intermediate compound of Formula V can sometimes be         isolated, it is usually not, because it spontaneously cyclizes         to the corresponding compound of Formula I at room temperature.         The cyclization is sometimes slow at room temperature, but         proceeds at useful rates at elevated temperatures.

While the 5-oxo-pyrazoline product of Formula I is shown in Scheme 1 as a lactam, one skilled in the art recognizes that this is tautomeric with the lactol of Formula Ib as shown in Scheme 2.

-   -   wherein R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b) and L are as previously, defined.         As these tautomers readily equilibrate, they are regarded as         chemically equivalent. Unless otherwise indicated, all         references to Formula I herein are to be construed to include         also Formula Ib.

Preferred for reason of ease of synthesis, better yield, higher purity, lower cost and/or product utility is the method of the present invention wherein: L is preferably H, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted tertiary alkyl. More preferably, L is H or optionally substituted aryl. Even more preferably, L is optionally substituted aryl. Most preferably, L is phenyl or pyridyl, each optionally substituted. R¹ is preferably C₁-C₁₆ alkyl, C₁-C₁₆ alkenyl or C₁-C₁₆ alkynyl, each optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, C₁-C₄ alkoxy or phenyl. More preferably, R¹ is C₁-C₄ alkyl. Even more preferably, R¹ is C₁-C₂ alkyl. Most preferably, R¹ is methyl. Preferably, R^(2a) is H or an optionally substituted carbon moiety. More preferably, R^(2a) is H. Most preferably, R^(2a) and R^(2b) are each H. Preferably, each R³ is independently selected from OR⁵ or an optionally substituted carbon moiety. More preferably, each R³ is independently selected from an optionally substituted carbon moiety. Even more preferably, each R³ is independently selected from C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from halogen or C₁-C₄ alkoxy, or phenyl optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₁-C₄ alkoxy. Most preferably, each R³ is independently selected from C₁-C₄ alkyl, phenyl or 4-methylphenyl. Preferably, each R⁵ is independently selected from C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from halogen or C₁-C₄ alkoxy. More preferably, each R⁵ is independently selected from C₁-C₄ alkyl.

In the method of the present invention the leaving group Y of the starting compound of Formula II is first displaced to give the intermediate compound of Formula V, from which the leaving group X is displaced to give the final product of Formula I. Strong leaving groups are generally suitable for X and Y in the present method. Preferably leaving groups are selected for X and Y in view of their relative susceptibility to displacement so that leaving group Y is displaced before leaving group X. However, as nucleophilic substitution is inherently more rapid on acyl centers compared to the 2-position of esters, most combinations of strong leaving groups work well for X and Y in the present method. X is preferably Cl, Br, I or a sulfonate (e.g., OS(O)₂CH₃, OS(O)₂CF₃, OS(O)₂Ph, OS(O)₂Ph-4-Me). More preferably, X is Cl, Br or I. Even more preferably, X is Cl or Br. Most preferably, X is Br. Y is preferably F, Cl, Br or I. More preferably, Y is Cl or Br. Most preferably, Y is Cl. The combination of X being Br and Y being Cl is notable for rapid condensation according to the method of the present invention to give a compound of Formula I in high yield and regioselectivity.

The reaction is conducted in the presence of a suitable acid scavenger. Suitable acid scavengers for the method of the present invention include bases and also chemical compounds not typically considered bases but nevertheless capable of reacting with and consuming strong acids such as hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide. Nonbasic acid scavengers include epoxides such as propylene oxide and olefins such as 2-methylpropene. Bases include ionic bases and nonionic bases. Nonionic bases include organic amines. Organic bases providing best results include amines that are only moderately basic and nucleophilic, e.g., N,N-diethylaniline. Useful ionic bases include fluorides, oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, carboxylates and phosphates of alkali and alkaline earth metal elements. Examples include NaF, MgO, CaO, LiHCO₃, Li₂CO₃, LiOH, NaOAc, NaHCO₃, Na₂CO₃, Na₂HPO₄, Na₃PO₄, KHCO₃, K₂CO₃, K₂HPO₄ and K₃PO₄. Giving particularly good results are inorganic carbonate and phosphate bases comprising alkali metal elements (e.g., LiHCO₃, Li₂CO₃, Li₂HPO₄, Li₃PO₄, NaHCO₃, Na₂CO₃, Na₂HPO₄ and Na₃PO₄). Of these, preferred for their low cost as well as excellent results are NaHCO₃, Na₂CO₃, Na₂HPO₄ and Na₃PO₄. Particularly preferred is NaHCO₃ and Na₃PO₄. Most preferred is NaHCO₃. Preferably at least two equivalents of acid scavenger is employed in the method of the present invention. Typically about 2 to 2.5 equivalents of acid scavenger is used. For the reaction of relatively acidic hydrazines of Formula III wherein, for example, L is —S(O)₂R³ it may be advantagous to add first an acid scavenger that is not a strong base to avoid deprotonating the hydrazine moiety of Formula III during the formation of the intermediate of Formula V and then add a strong base to deprotonate the hydrazine moiety of Formula V to accelerate the condensation to give the final product of Formula I.

Suitable solvents include polar aprotic solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide, methyl sulfoxide, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, acetonitrile and the like. Nitrile solvents such as acetonitrile, proprionitrile and butyronitrile often provide optimal yields and product purities. Particularly preferred for its low cost and excellent utility as solvent for the method of this invention is acetonitrile.

The method of the present invention can be conducted over a wide temperature range, but is typically conducted at temperatures between about −10 and 80° C. While the intermediate compound of Formula V can be formed at 80° C. or higher, the best yields and purities are often achieved by forming it at lower temperature, such as between about 0° C. and ambient temperature (e.g., about 15 to 25° C.). Typically during the addition of reactants the reaction mixture is cooled to a temperature of −5 to 5° C., most conveniently about 0° C. After the reactants have been combined, the temperature is typically increased to near ambient temperature. To then increase the rate of cyclization of the compound of Formula V to the compound of Formula I, a temperature in the range of about 30 to 80° C. is usually employed, more typically about 30 to 60° C., and most typically about 40° C. The product of Formula I can be isolated by the usual methods well known to those skilled in the art such as evaporation of solvent, chromatography and crystallization. Addition of an acid with a pK_(a) in the range of 2 to 5 can buffer excess base and prevent saponification and degradation of the product of Formula I during isolation steps involving water and heat (such as removal of solvent by distillation). Acetic acid works well for this purpose. Also, addition of such acids as acetic acid to concentrated solutions of certain products of Formula I can promote their crystallization.

Preferred methods of this invention include the method wherein the starting compound of Formula II is Formula IIa, the starting compound of Formula III is Formula IIIa and the product compound of Formula I is Formula Ia as shown in Scheme 3 below.

-   -   wherein R¹ is as defined for Formulae I and II;     -   X and Y are as defined for Formula II;     -   each R⁹ is independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl, C₂-C₄         alkynyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₂-C₄ haloalkenyl,         C₂-C₄ haloalkynyl, C₃-C₆ halocycloalkyl, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁-C₄         alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄ alkylthio, C₁-C₄ alkylsulfinyl,         C₁-C₄ alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₄ alkylamino, C₂-C₈ dialkylamino, C₃-C₆         cycloalkylamino, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)(C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl)amino, C₂-C₄         alkylcarbonyl, C₂-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₆ alkylaminocarbonyl,         C₃-C₈ dialkylaminocarbonyl or C₃-C₆ trialkylsilyl;     -   Z is N or CR¹⁰;     -   R¹⁰ is H or R⁹; and     -   n is an integer from 0 to 3.         One skilled in the art will recognize that Formula Ia is a         subgenus of Formula I, Formula IIa is subgenus of Formula II,         Formula IIIa is a subgenus of Formula III, and Formula Va is a         subgenus of Formula V.

While a wide range of optionally substituted carbon moieties as already described are useful as R¹ in esters of Formula Ia for the method of Scheme 3, commonly R¹ is a radical containing up to 18 carbon atoms and selected from alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl; and benzyl and phenyl, each optionally substituted with alkyl and halogen. Preferably R¹ is C₁-C₄ alkyl, more preferably R¹ is C₁-C₂ alkyl, and most preferably R¹ is methyl. Preferably X is Cl or Br, and more preferably X is Br. Preferably Y is Cl. Of note is the method shown in Scheme 3 wherein Z is N, n is 1 and R⁹ is Cl or Br and is located at the 3-position.

As shown in Scheme 4, compounds of Formula II can be prepared by treating the corresponding carboxylic acids of Formula VI with the appropriate reagents to convert the hydroxy radical of the carboxylic acid function into a leaving group.

-   -   wherein R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b), X and Y are as previously defined.

For example, a compound of Formula IIb (i.e. Formula II wherein Y is Cl) can be prepared by contacting a corresponding carboxylic acid of Formula VI with a reagent for converting carboxylic acids to acyl chlorides, such as thionyl chloride (S(O)Cl₂) as shown in Scheme 5.

-   -   wherein R¹, R^(2a), R^(2b) and X are as previously defined.         The reaction of the carboxylic acid of Formula VI with thionyl         chloride is typically conducted in the presence of a moderately         polar aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane,         1,2-dichloroethane, benzene, chlorobenzene or toluene. The         reaction can be catalyzed by addition of N,N-dimethylformamide.         Typically the reaction temperature is in the range of about 30         to 80° C. When dichloromethane-is used as solvent, the reaction         is conveniently conducted at about its boiling point of 40° C.         Rapid removal of hydrogen chloride generated by the reaction is         desirable and can be facilitated by boiling the solvent to limit         the solubility of the hydrogen chloride. Because of its moderate         boiling point, dichloromethane is preferred as a solvent.

Because of compounds of Formula VI can be easily and inexpensively converted to compounds of Formula II wherein Y is Cl (i.e. Formula IIb), Y being Cl is preferred for the method of the present invention. However, other leaving groups are also useful as Y in the present method. Compounds of Formula II wherein Y is a leaving group other than Cl can be prepared either directly from the corresponding compounds of Formula VI or from the compounds of Formula IIb by methods well known to those skilled in the art (see, for example, H. W. Johnson & D. E. Bublitz, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1958, 80, 3150-3152 (VI to II (Y is Br)); G. Oláh et al., Chem. Ber. 1956, 89, 862-864 (IIb to II (Y is F)); R. N. Haszeldine, J. Chem. Soc. 1951, 584587 (IIb to II (Y is I))).

As discussed above, acyl halide compounds of Formula II are easily prepared from the corresponding carboxylic acids of Formula VI by contacting with thionyl chloride (for Y is Cl) or other reagents for Y being another halide, or by contacting a compound of Formula II wherein Y is Cl with the appropriate reagent to convert Y to another halogen. Even though acyl halide compounds of Formula II are easily prepared, they are less simply isolated in 100% concentration, because they are typically not crystalline and at reduced pressures commonly available for chemical manufacturing their boiling points are typically higher than their decomposition temperatures, thereby precluding distilling them. Although solvents can be removed from acyl halide compounds of Formula II by such methods as evaporation or distillation of the solvent at reduced pressure, typically sufficient solvent is entrained to cause the concentration of the Formula II compound to remain below 100%. However, the solvents used to prepare the compounds of Formula II are generally compatible with the method of the present invention, and therefore the method of the present invention works well starting with compositions of compounds of Formula II wherein the concentration of Formula II compound is less than 100%. Therefore a composition of Formula II compound useful for the method of the present invention typically also comprises a solvent, particularly a solvent used to prepare the Formula II compound. Typical solvents include dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, benzene, chlorobenzene or toluene. Typically said composition comprises about 20 to 99% of Formula II compound on a weight basis. Preferably said composition comprises about 40 to 99 weight % of Formula II compound. More preferably said composition comprises about 50 to 99 weight % of Formula II compound. Also preferably said composition comprises at least about 80% of Formula II compound based on the sum of the weight of the Formula II compound (including all stereoisomers) and the weights of regioisomers of the Formula II compound in the composition. (For this calculation, the weight of Formula II compound (including all stereoisomers) is divided by the sum of the weight of the Formula II compound (including all stereoisomers) and the weights of regioisomers of the Formula II compound, and then the resulting division quotient is multiplied by 100%. The regioisomers of Formula II involve, for example, interchanging the placement of X and R^(2a) or R^(2b).) More preferably said composition comprises at least about 90% of the Formula II compound based on the total weight of the Formula II compound and its regioisomers in the composition (i.e. the aforementioned sum of weights). Most preferably said composition comprises at least about 94% of Formula II compound based on the total weight of the Formula II compound and its regioisomers in the composition. Preferred is a composition comprising a compound of Formula II wherein Y is Cl and X is Cl, Br or I, preferably Cl or Br, and more preferably Br. Of note is a composition, including said preferred composition, comprising a compound of Formula II wherein when R^(2a) and R^(2b) are each H, and X and Y are each Cl then R¹ is other than benzyl and when R^(2a) and R^(2b) are each phenyl, and X and Y are each Cl, then R¹ is other than methyl or ethyl. Particularly preferred is a composition comprising the compound of Formula II wherein R^(2a) and R^(2b) are each H, X is Br, Y is Cl and R¹ is methyl. Also particularly preferred is a composition comprising the compound of Formula II wherein R^(2a) and R^(2b) are each H, X is Br, Y is Cl and R¹ is ethyl. This invention also pertains to the compounds of Formula II comprised by said compositions, including preferred compositions and compositions of note.

Compounds of Formula VI can be prepared by a variety of chemical routes disclosed in the literature. For example, the compound of Formula VI wherein R^(2a) and R^(2b) are H, X is Br and R¹ is ethyl can be prepared as described by U. Aeberhard et al., Helv. Chim. Acta 1983, 66, 2740-2759. The compound of Formula VI wherein R^(2a) and R^(2b) are H, X is Cl and R¹ is benzyl can be prepared as described by J. E. Baldwin et al., Tetrahedron 1985, 41, 5241. Compounds of Formula VI wherein R^(2a) and R^(2b) are H and X is OS(O)₂Me, and R¹ is methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or benzyl can be prepared as described by S. C. Arnold & R. W. Lenz, Makromol. Chem. Macromol. Symp. 1986, 6, 285-303 and K. Fujishiro et al., Liquid Crystals 1992, 12 (3), 417-429. One skilled in the art appreciates that these example routes can be generalized. Of special interest is the compound of Formula VI wherein R^(2a) and R^(2b) are H, X is Br and R¹ is methyl, because its crystalline nature facilitates purification. Therefore the present invention also relates to a crystalline composition (e.g., crystals) comprising at least about 90% by weight, preferably at least about 95% by weight, of the compound of Formula VI wherein R^(2a) and R^(2b) are H, X is Br and R₁ is methyl. Impurities in said crystalline composition can for example comprise regioisomers of the Formula VI compound and/or the solvent of crystallization entrained in the crystal lattice.

Compounds of Formula III can be prepared by a wide variety of methods reported in the literature, for example, see G. H. Coleman in Org. Syn. Coll. Vol. I, 1941, 442-445 (L is aryl); O. Diels, Chem. Ber. 1914, 47, 2183-2195 (L is —C(O)R³); L. F. Audrieth & L. H. Diamond, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1954, 76, 4869-4871 (L is tertiary alkyl); L. Friedman et al. in Org. Syn. 1960, 40, 93-95 (L is S(O)₂R³); and V. S. Sauro & M. S. Workentin, Can. J. Chem. 2002, 80, 250-262 (L is P(O)(R3)₂). It is believed that one skilled in the art using the preceding description can utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The following Example is, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limiting of the disclosure in any way whatsoever. Steps in the following Example illustrate a procedure for each step in an overall synthetic transformation, and the starting material for each step may not have necessarily been prepared by a particular preparative run whose procedure is described in other Examples or Steps. Percentages are by weight except for chromatographic solvent mixtures or where otherwise indicated. Parts and percentages for chromatographic solvent mixtures are by volume unless otherwise indicated. ¹H NMR spectra are reported in ppm downfield from tetramethylsilane; “s” means singlet, “d” means doublet, “t” means triplet, “q” means quartet, “m” means multiplet, “dd” means doublet of doublets, “dt” means doublet of triplets, and “br s” means broad singlet. “ABX” refers to a ¹H NMR three-proton spin system in which two protons “A” and “B” have a chemical shift difference that is relatively small compared to their spin-spin coupling and the third proton “X” has a chemical shift with a relatively large difference compared to the spin-spin coupling with protons “A” and “B”.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of methyl 2-(3-chloro-2-pyridinyl)-5-oxo-3-pyrazolidinecarboxylate (Formula I wherein R¹ is methyl, R^(2a) and R^(2b) are H and L is 3-chloro-2-pyridinyl)

Step A: Preparation of 1-methyl hydrogen bromobutanedioate

Methyl hydrogen (2Z)-2-butendioate (also known as the monomethyl ester of maleic acid) (50 g, 0.385 mol) was added dropwise to a solution of hydrogen bromide in acetic acid 141.43 g, 33%, 0.577 mol) at 0° C. over 1 h. The reaction mixture was stored at about 5° C. overnight. The solvent was then removed under reduced pressure. Toluene (100 mL) was added, and the mixture was evaporated under reduced pressure. The process was repeated three times using more toluene (3×100 mL). Then toluene (50 mL) was added, and the mixture was cooled to −2° C. Hexanes (50 mL) was added dropwise to the mixture. When the addition was complete the mixture was stirred about 30 minutes while the product crystallized. The product was then isolated by filtration and dried in vacuo to provide the title compound as a white solid (63.37 g, 81.8% yield). A sample recrystallized from toluene/hexanes melted at 38-40° C.

-   IR (nujol): 1742, 1713, 1444, 1370, 1326, 1223, 1182, 1148, 1098,     996, 967, 909, 852 cm⁻¹. -   ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 4.57 (X of ABX pattern, J=6.1, 8.9 Hz, 1H), 3.81     (s, 3H), 3.35 (½ of AB in ABX pattern, J=8.8, 17.7 Hz, 1H), 3.05 (½     of AB in ABX pattern, J=6.1, 17.8 Hz, 1H).     Step B: Preparation of methyl 2-bromo-4-chloro4-oxobutanoate

Thionyl chloride (6.54 g, 54.9 mmol) in dichloromethane (7 mL) was added dropwise over 30 minutes to a mixture of 1-methyl hydrogen bromobutanedioate (i.e. the product of Step A) (10 g, 47.4 mmol) and N,N-dimethylformamide (5 drops) in dichloromethane (20 mL) heated at reflux. The mixture was heated at reflux for an additional 60 minutes and then allowed to cool to room temperature. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure to leave the title product as an oil (11 g, about 100% yield).

-   IR (nujol): 3006, 2956, 1794, 1743, 1438, 1392, 1363, 1299, 1241,     1153, 1081, 977, 846, 832 cm⁻¹. -   ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 4.56 (X of ABX pattern, J=5.8, 8.5 Hz, 1H),     3.87-3.78 (m, 4H), 3.53 (½ of AB in ABX pattern, J=6, 18.5 Hz, 1H).     Step C: Preparation of methyl     2-(3-chloro-2-pyridinyl)-5-oxo-3-pyrazolidine-carboxylate

The crude product of Step B (i.e. methyl 2-bromo4-chloro4-oxobutanoate) (11.00 g, ˜47.4 mmol) in acetonitrile (25 mL) was added over 65 minutes to a mixture of 3-chloro-2(1H)-pyridinone hydrazone (alternatively named (3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-hydrazine) (6.55 g, 45.6 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (9.23 g, 0.110 mol) in acetonitrile (60 mL) at 0° C. The mixture was then allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirred for 3 h. The mixture was then warmed and maintained at 38° C. for 8 h. Then the mixture was allowed to cool, and the solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure. Water (25 mL) was added, and acetic acid (about 1.9 mL) was added until the slurry had a pH of about 5. After 2 h, the product was isolated by filtration, rinsed with water (10 mL) and dried in vacuo to provide the title compound as a pale yellow solid (11 g, 89.8% yield). A sample recrystallized from ethanol melted at 147-148° C.

-   IR (nujol): 1756, 1690, 1581, 1429, 1295, 1202, 1183, 1165, 1125,     1079, 1032, 982, 966, 850, 813 cm⁻¹. -   ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 10.16 (s, 1H), 8.27 (dd, J=1.4, 4.6 Hz, 1H), 7.93     (dd, J=1.6, 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.19 (dd, J=4.6, 7.8 Hz, 1H), 4.87 (X of     ABX pattern, J=1.6, 9.6 Hz, 1H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 2.90 (½ of AB in ABX     pattern, J=9.7, 16.7 Hz, 1H), 2.38 (½ of AB in ABX pattern, J=1.6,     16.9 Hz, 1H).

By the procedures described herein together with methods known in the art, the compounds of Formulae II and III can be converted to compounds of Formula I as illustrated for Formulae Ia, IIa and IIIa in Table 1 and more generally for Formulae I, II and III in Table 2. The following abbreviations are used in the Tables: t is tertiary, s is secondary, n is normal, i is iso, Me is methyl, Et is ethyl, Pr is propyl, i-Pr is isopropyl, t-Bu is tertiary butyl, Ph is phenyl and Bn is benzyl (—CH₂Ph).

TABLE 1

X is Br; Y is Cl R¹ is Me R¹ is Et R¹ is t-Bu R¹ is Bn (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Br N 3-Br CCI 3-Br N 3-Br CCl 3-Br N 3-Br CCl 3-Br N 3-Br CCl 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr X is Cl; Y is Cl R¹ is Me R¹ is Et R¹ is t-Bu R¹ is Bn (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Br N 3-Br CCI 3-Br N 3-Br CCl 3-Br N 3-Br CCl 3-Br N 3-Br CCl 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr X is OS(O)₂Me; Y is Cl R¹ is Me R¹ is Et R¹ is t-Bu R¹ is Bn (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Br N 3-Br CCI 3-Br N 3-Br CCl 3-Br N 3-Br CCl 3-Br N 3-Br CCl 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr X is OS(O)2Ph; Y is Cl R¹ is Me R¹ is Et R¹ is t-Bu R¹ is Bn (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z (R⁹)_(n) Z 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Cl N 3-Cl CCl 3-Br N 3-Br CCI 3-Br N 3-Br CCl 3-Br N 3-Br CCl 3-Br N 3-Br CCl 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Cl CH 3-Cl CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr 3-Br CH 3-Br CBr X is Br; Y is Cl (R⁹)_(n) R¹ Z (R⁹)_(n) R¹ Z (R⁹)_(n) R¹ Z (R⁹)_(n) R¹ Z 5-Cl Me CH 3-OEt Me N 4-I Me CH 5-CF₂H Me CH 4-n-Bu Et N 2-OCF₃ Et N 3-CN Et CH 6-CH₃ Et N 5-NMe₂ n-Pr CH 3-cyclo-Pr n-Pr CH 3-NO₂ n-Pr CH 3-CH₂CF₃ n-Pr CH 3-OCH₂F i-Pr N H i-Pr N 3-S(O)₂CH₃ i-Pr CH 6-cyclohexyl i-Pr CH 4-OCH₃ n-Bu CH 4-F n-Bu CCl 4-SCH₃ n-Bu CH 4-CH₂CH═CH₂ n-Bu CH 3-Me s-Bu N 4-Me i-Bu CH 3-Br Bn N 3-CF₃ t-Bu N (R⁹)_(n) is 3-Br; Z is CBr R¹ is Me R¹ is Et R¹ is n-Bu X Y X Y X Y X Y X Y X Y Cl Br I Cl Cl Br I Cl Cl Br I Cl Br Br OS(O)₂Ph-4-Me Cl Br Br OS(O)₂Ph-4-Me Cl Br Br OS(O)₂Ph-4-Me Cl Br I OS(O)₂CF₃ Cl Br I OS(O)₂CF₃ Cl Br I OS(O)₂CF₃ Cl Br F OS(O)₂CH₂CH₃ Cl Br F OS(O)₂CH₂CH₃ Cl Br F OS(O)₂CH₂CH₃ Cl (R⁹)_(n) is 3-Cl; Z is N R¹ is Me R¹ is Et R¹ is n-Bu X Y X Y X Y X Y X Y X Y Cl Br I Cl Cl Br I Cl Cl Br I Cl Br Br OS(O)₂Ph-4-Me Cl Br Br OS(O)₂Ph-4-Me Cl Br Br OS(O)₂Ph-4-Me Cl Br I OS(O)₂CF₃ Cl Br I OS(O)₂CF₃ Cl Br I OS(O)₂CF₃ Cl Br F OS(O)₂CH₂CH₃ Cl Br F OS(O)₂CH₂CH₃ Cl Br F OS(O)₂CH₂CH₃ Cl

TABLE 2

R¹ is Me, X is Br, Y is Cl R^(2a) R^(2b) L R^(2a) R^(2b) L H H Ph-4-Me H H —P(O)(OMe)₂ Me H Ph H H —P(O)(OMe)Ph OMe H Ph H H —P(O)Et₂ Me Me Ph-2-Cl H H —C(CH₃)₂(CH₂)₂CH₃ H H 3-thienyl H H —C(CH₃)₂CF₃ H H t-Bu H H —C(CH₃)₂CH₂OCH₃ H H —C(O)Ph Me H Ph-3-OMe H H —C(O)OMe Ph Ph Ph H H —C(O)N(Me)Et CH₂CF₃ H 2-napthyl H H —S(O)₂Me O-allyl H Ph H H —S(O)₂Ph-4-Me Me CH₂OCH₃ Ph-2,4-di-Me H H Ph-Ph-4-Me —(CH₂)₄— Ph H 2-thienyl Ph-3-OMe —(CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂— Ph-4-i-Pr H H Ph R¹ is Et, X is Br, Y is Cl R^(2a) R^(2b) L R^(2a) R^(2b) L H H Ph-3-Cl H H —P(O)(OEt)₂ Et H Ph H H —P(O)(OEt)Ph-4-Me OEt H Ph H H —P(O)Me₂ Me n-Pr Ph-2-Me H H —C(CH₃)₂(CH₂)₄CH₃ H H 3-thienyl-2-Me H H —C(CH₃)₂CH₂CF₃ Me H t-Bu H H —C(CH₂CH₃)₂CH₃ H H —C(O)Ph-4-Cl Et H Ph-3-OMe H H —C(O)OCH₂CH₂OCH₃ Ph Ph Ph-4-OEt H H —C(O)N(Me)₂ H H 1-napthyl H H —S(O)₂Me O-allyl H Ph-4-Me H H —S(O)₂Ph-3-Br Me CH₂OCH₃ Ph-2,4-di-Cl H H Ph-Ph-4-Cl —(CH₂)₄— Ph-3-F H 2-thienyl Ph-4-OMe —(CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂— Ph-4-CH(CH₃)₂ H H Ph

Among the compounds preparable according to the method of the present invention, compounds of Formula Ia are particularly useful for preparing compounds of Formula IV

wherein Z, R³ and n are defined as above; X¹ is halogen; R⁶ is CH₃, F, Cl or Br; R⁷ is F, Cl, Br, I, CN or CF₃; R^(8a) is H or C₁-C₄ alkyl; and R^(8b) is H or CH₃. Preferably Z is N, n is 1, and R³ is Cl or Br and is at the 3-position.

Compounds of Formula IV are useful as insecticides, as described, for example, in PCT Publication No. WO 01/70671, published Sep. 27, 2001, PCT Publication No. WO 03/015519, published Feb. 27, 2003, and PCT Publication No. WO 03/015518, published Feb. 27, 2003, as well as in U.S. patent. application Ser. No. 60/323,941, filed Sep. 21, 2001, the disclosure of which was substantively published on Mar. 27, 2003 in PCT Publication No. WO 03/024222. The preparation of compounds of Formula 9 and Formula IV is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/446451, filed Feb. 11, 2003 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/446438, filed Feb. 11, 2003, and hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by reference; as well as in PCT Publication No. WO 03/016283, published Feb. 27, 2003.

Compounds of Formula IV can be prepared from corresponding compounds of Formula Ia by the processes outlined in Schemes 6-11.

As illustrated in Scheme 6, a compound of Formula Ia is treated with a halogenating reagent, usually in the presence of a solvent to provide the corresponding halo compound of Formula 6.

wherein R¹, R⁹, Z and n are as previously defined, and X¹ is halogen.

-   Halogenating reagents that can be used include phosphorus     oxyhalides, phosphorus trihalides, phosphorus pentahalides, thionyl     chloride, dihalotrialkylphosphoranes, dihalodiphenylphosphoranes,     oxalyl chloride, phosgene, sulfur tetrafluoride and     (diethylamino)sulfur trifluoride. Preferred are phosphorus     oxyhalides and phosphorus pentahalides. To obtain complete     conversion, at least 0.33 equivalents of phosphorus oxyhalide versus     the compound of Formula Ia (i.e. the mole ratio of phosphorus     oxyhalide to Formula Ia is at least 0.33) should be used, preferably     between about 0.33 and 1.2 equivalents. To obtain complete     conversion, at least 0.20 equivalents of phosphorus pentahalide     versus the compound of Formula Ia should be used, preferably between     about 0.20 and 1.0 equivalents. Typical solvents for this     halogenation include halogenated alkanes, such as dichloromethane,     chloroform, chlorobutane and the like, aromatic solvents, such as     benzene, xylene, chlorobenzene and the like, ethers, such as     tetrahydrofuran, p-dioxane, diethyl ether, and the like, and polar     aprotic solvents such as acetonitrile, N,N-dimethylformamide, and     the like. Optionally, an organic base, such as triethylamine,     pyridine, N,N-dimethylaniline or the like, can be added. Addition of     a catalyst, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, is also an option.     Preferred is the process in which the solvent is acetonitrile and a     base is absent. Typically, neither a base nor a catalyst is required     when acetonitrile solvent is used. The preferred process is     conducted by mixing the compound of Formula Ia in acetonitrile. The     halogenating reagent is then added over a convenient time, and the     mixture is then held at the desired temperature until the reaction     is complete. The reaction temperature is typically between about     20° C. and the boiling point of acetonitrile, and the reaction time     is typically less than 2 hours. The reaction mass is then     neutralized with an inorganic base, such as sodium bicarbonate,     sodium hydroxide and the like, or an organic base, such as sodium     acetate. The desired product, a compound of Formula 6, can be     isolated by methods known to those skilled in the art, including     extraction, crystallization and distillation.

Alternatively as shown in Scheme 7, compounds of Formula 6 wherein X¹ is halogen such as Br or Cl can be prepared by treating the corresponding compounds of Formula 6a wherein X² is a different halogen (e.g., Cl for making Formula 6 wherein X¹ is Br) or a sulfonate group such as methanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate or p-toluenesulfonate with hydrogen bromide or hydrogen chloride, respectively.

wherein R¹, R⁹ and n are as previously defined for Formula Ia.

-   By this method the X² halogen or sulfonate substituent on the     Formula 6a starting compound is replaced with Br or Cl from hydrogen     bromide or hydrogen chloride, respectively. The reaction is     conducted in a suitable solvent such as dibromomethane,     dichloromethane, acetic acid, ethyl acetate or acetonitrile. The     reaction can be conducted at or near atmospheric pressure or above     atmospheric pressure in a pressure vessel. The hydrogen halide     starting material can be added in the form of a gas to the reaction     mixture containing the Formula 6a starting compound and solvent.     When X² in the starting compound of Formula 6a is a halogen such as     Cl, the reaction is preferably conducted in such a way that the     hydrogen halide generated from the reaction is removed by sparging     or other suitable means. Alternatively, the hydrogen halide starting     material can be first dissolved in an inert solvent in which it is     highly soluble (such as acetic acid) before contacting with the     starting compound of Formula 6a either neat or in solution. Also     when X² in the starting compound of Formula 6a is a halogen such as     Cl, substantially more than one equivalent of hydrogen halide     starting material (e.g., 4 to 10 equivalents) is typically needed     depending upon the level of conversion desired. One equivalent of     hydrogen halide starting material can provide high conversion when     X² in the starting compound of Formula 6a is a sulfonate group, but     when the starting compound of Formula 6a comprises at least one     basic function (e.g., a nitrogen-containing heterocycle), more than     one equivalent of hydrogen halide starting material is typically     needed. The reaction can be conducted between about 0 and 100° C.,     most conveniently near ambient temperature (e.g., about 10 to 40°     C.), and more preferably between about 20 and 30° C. Addition of a     Lewis acid catalyst (such as aluminum tribromide for preparing     Formula 6 wherein X¹ is Br) can facilitate the reaction. The product     of Formula 6 is isolated by the usual methods known to those skilled     in the art, including extraction, distillation and crystallization.

Starting compounds of Formula 6a wherein X² is Cl or Br are also of Formula 6 and can be prepared from corresponding compounds of Formula Ia as already described for Scheme 6. Starting compounds of Formula 6a wherein X² is a sulfonate group can likewise be prepared from corresponding compounds of Formula Ia by standard methods such as treatment with a sulfonyl chloride (e.g., methanesulfonyl chloride, benzenesulfonyl chloride or p-toluenesulfonyl chloride) and base in a suitable solvent. Suitable solvents include dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile and the like. Suitable bases include tertiary amines (e.g., triethylamine, N,N-diisopropylethylamine) and ionic bases such as potassium carbonate and the like. A tertiary amine is preferred as the base. At least one of equivalent (preferably a small excess, e.g., 5-10%) of the sulfonyl chloride compound and the base relative to the compound Formula Ia is generally used to give complete conversion. The reaction is typically conducted at a temperature between about −50° C. and the boiling point of the solvent, more commonly between about 0° C. and ambient temperature (i.e. about 15 to 30° C.). The reaction is typically complete within a couple hours to several days; the progress of the reaction can by monitored by such techniques known to those skilled in the art as thin layer chromatography and analysis of the ¹H NMR spectrum. The reaction mixture is then worked up, such as by washing with water, drying the organic phase and evaporating the solvent. The desired product, a compound of Formula 6a wherein X² is a sulfonate group, can be isolated by methods known to those skilled in the art, including extraction, crystallization and distillation. As illustrated in Scheme 8, a compound of Formula 6 is then treated with an oxidizing agent optionally in the presence of acid.

wherein R¹, R⁹, Z, X¹ and n are as previously defined for Formula 6 in Scheme 6.

-   A compound of Formula 6 wherein R¹ is C₁-C₄ alkyl is preferred as     starting material for this step. The oxidizing agent can be hydrogen     peroxide, organic peroxides, potassium persulfate, sodium     persulfate, ammonium persulfate, potassium monopersulfate (e.g.,     Oxone®) or potassium permanganate. To obtain complete conversion, at     least one equivalent of oxidizing agent versus the compound of     Formula 6 should be used, preferably from about one to two     equivalents. This oxidation is typically carried out in the presence     of a solvent. The solvent can be an ether, such as tetrahydrofuran,     p-dioxane and the like, an organic ester, such as ethyl acetate,     dimethyl carbonate and the like, or a polar aprotic organic such as     N,N-dimethylformamide, acetonitrile and the like. Acids suitable for     use in the oxidation step include inorganic acids, such as sulfuric     acid, phosphoric acid and the like, and organic acids, such as     acetic acid, benzoic acid and the like. The acid, when used, should     be used in greater than 0.1 equivalents versus the compound of     Formula 6. To obtain complete conversion, one to five equivalents of     acid can be used. For the compounds of Formula 6 wherein Z is CR¹⁰,     the preferred oxidant is hydrogen peroxide and the oxidation is     preferably carried out in the absence of acid. For the compounds of     Formula 6 wherein Z is N, the preferred oxidant is potassium     persulfate and the oxidation is preferably carried out in the     presence of sulfuric acid. The reaction can be carried out by mixing     the compound of Formula 6 in the desired solvent and, if used, the     acid. The oxidant can then be added at a convenient rate. The     reaction temperature is typically varied from as low as about 0° C.     up to the boiling point of the solvent in order to obtain a     reasonable reaction time to complete the reaction, preferably less     than 8 hours. The desired product, a compound of Formula 7 can be     isolated by methods known to those skilled in the art, including     extraction, chromatography, crystallization and distillation.

Carboxylic acid compounds of Formula 7 wherein R¹ is H can be prepared by hydrolysis from corresponding ester compounds of Formula 7 wherein, for example, R¹ is C₁-C₄ alkyl. Carboxylic ester compounds can be converted to carboxylic acid compounds by numerous methods including nucleophilic cleavage under anhydrous conditions or hydrolytic methods involving the use of either acids or bases (see T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 2nd ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1991, pp. 224-269 for a review of methods). For compounds of Formula 7, base-catalyzed hydrolytic methods are preferred. Suitable bases include alkali metal (such as lithium, sodium or potassium) hydroxides. For example, the ester can be dissolved in a mixture of water and an alcohol such as ethanol. Upon treatment with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, the ester is saponified to provide the sodium or potassium salt of the carboxylic acid. Acidification with a strong acid, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, yields the carboxylic acid of Formula 7 wherein R¹ is H. The carboxylic acid can be isolated by methods known to those skilled in the art, including extraction, distillation and crystallization.

Coupling of a pyrazolecarboxylic acid of Formula 7 wherein R¹ is H with an anthranilic acid of Formula 8 provides the benzoxazinone of Formula 9. In Scheme 9, a benzoxazinone of Formula 9 is prepared directly via sequential addition of methanesulfonyl chloride in the presence of a tertiary amine such as triethylamine or pyridine to a pyrazolecarboxylic acid of Formula 7 wherein R¹ is H, followed by the addition of an anthranilic acid of Formula 8, followed by a second addition of tertiary amine and methanesulfonyl chloride.

wherein R⁶, R⁷, R⁹, X¹, Z and n are as defined for Formula IV.

-   This procedure generally affords good yields of the benzoxazinone.

Scheme 10 depicts an alternate preparation for benzoxazinones of Formula 9 involving coupling of a pyrazole acid chloride of Formula 11 with an isatoic anhydride of Formula 10 to provide the Formula 9 benzoxazinone directly.

wherein R⁶, R⁷, R⁹, X¹, Z and n are as defined for Formula IV.

-   Solvents such as pyridine or pyridine/acetonitrile are suitable for     this reaction. The acid chlorides of Formula 11 are available from     the corresponding acids of Formula 7 wherein R¹ is H by known     procedures such as chlorination with thionyl chloride or oxalyl     chloride.

Compounds of Formula IV can be prepared by the reaction of benzoxazinones of Formula 9 with C₁-C₄ alkylamines and (C₁-C₄ alkyl)(methyl)amines of Formula 12 as outlined in Scheme 11.

wherein R⁶, R⁷, R^(8a), R^(8b), R⁹, X¹, Z and n are as previously defined.

-   The reaction can be run neat or in a variety of suitable solvents     including acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether,     dichloromethane or chloroform with optimum temperatures ranging from     room temperature to the reflux temperature of the solvent. The     general reaction of benzoxazinones with amines to produce     anthranilamides is well documented in the chemical literature. For a     review of benzoxazinone chemistry see Jakobsen et al., Biorganic and     Medicinal Chemistry 2000, 8, 2095-2103 and references cited within.     See also Coppola, J. Heterocyclic Chemistry 1999, 36, 563-588. 

1. A method for preparing a 2-substituted-5-oxo-3-pyrazolidinecarboxylate compound of Formula I

wherein L is H, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted tertiary alkyl, —C(O)R³, —S(O)₂R³ or —P(O)(R³)₂; R¹ is an optionally substituted carbon moiety; R^(2a) is H, OR⁴ or an optionally substituted carbon moiety; R^(2b) is H or an optionally substituted carbon moiety; each R³ is independently OR⁵, N(R⁵)₂ or an optionally substituted carbon moiety; R⁴ is an optionally substituted carbon moiety; and each R⁵ is selected from optionally substituted carbon moieties; comprising: contacting a succinic acid derivative of Formula II

wherein X is a leaving group; and Y is a leaving group; with a substituted hydrazine of Formula III LNHNH₂   III in the presence of a suitable acid scavenger and solvent.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein X is Cl, Br or I.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein X is Br.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein Y is Cl.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein R¹ is C₁-C₄ alkyl.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the compound of Formula I is of Formula Ia

the compound of Formula II is of Formula IIa

and the compound of Formula III is of Formula IIIa

wherein each R⁹ is independently C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl, C₂-C₄ alkynyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₂-C₄ haloalkenyl, C₂-C₄ haloalkynyl, C₃-C₆ halocycloalkyl, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy, C₁-C₄ alkylthio, C₁-C₄ alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₄ alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₄ alkylamino, C₂-C₈ dialkylamino, C₃-C₆ cycloalkylamino, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)(C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl)amino, C₂-C₄ alkylcarbonyl, C₂-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₆ alkylaminocarbonyl, C₃-C₈ dialkylaminocarbonyl or C₃-C₆ trialkylsilyl; Z is N or CR¹⁰; R¹⁰ is H or R⁹; and n is an integer from 0 to
 3. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein X is Br.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein Y is Cl.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein R¹ is CH₃.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein methyl 2-(3-chloro-2-pyridinyl)-5-oxo-3-pyrazolidinecarboxylate is prepared by contacting methyl 2-bromo-4-chloro-4-oxobutanoate with (3-chloro-2-pyridin-2-yl)-hydrazine in the presence of sodium bicarbonate as the acid scavenger and acetonitrile as the solvent.
 11. The method of claim 6 wherein the compound of Formula Ia is methyl 2-(3-chloro-2-pyridinyl)-5-oxo-3-pyrazolidinecarboxylate, the compound of Formula IIa is methyl 2-bromo-4-chloro-4-oxobutanoate and the compound of Formula IIIa is (3-chloro-2-pyridin-2-yl)-hydrazine.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the acid scavenger is selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogenphosphate and sodium phosphate.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of nitrile solvents. 